Archeotech 2 – Treasure Hunt (RPG IC)

[TechCaptain]

Kazimir

 

Having kept calm and his movements slow throughout the exchange as not to accidentally startle anyone's trigger fingers, Kazimir thought it was finally time for him to speak up as well. He didn't quite know if playing dumb or not would be the better choice but now was the time to gamble on a response. In his deep reverb tone, "Sergeant here is quick to judge that theft is involved and we participated.  It's a my suspicious that he beat Da over there over a mere 45 thrones. Our Scout here is returning what he found in his foraging. None of us here are so desperate for Thrones that this was necessary. Instead of an honest inquiry he came upon our camp armed with a large enough number in the middle of the night intent on harm. His methods will harm the expedition if unchecked. I know Planetary Defense Forces Standards are lax but that is disgraceful. Maybe he should go see the Commissar of the Forces when we get back?"

[Trokair]

Spoiler

Varn

Overseer Opposed

Fel:36 D100: 22, Pass - 1DoS He doubts you instinctively, but not enough to tip it over into outright distrust

Rahul Opposed

Per: 30 D100: 02, Pass - 2 DoS  He is not convinced by your claim.

Ravia

Overseer Opposed

 Fel:36 D100: 38, Fail - 0 DoF He is convinced of your honnesty for now.

 

Overseer Von Herz listened to the three of you, if you look closely you will have seen the briefest look of revulsion pass over his face as the scout spoke but it passed into a polite look of nothingness. Long practised no doubt.

 

“Sergeant, is that your man’s pouch?”

 

“No Sir, but it does look like it might be Ekber’s, the driver from group three. Shall i have him fetched to confirm?”

 

Eadwin Von Herz nods at this, but sent one of the men who had arrived with him to fetch the driver.

 

“I appreciate that you did not want to trouble me over a mere 45 Thrones, but next time you are to follow proper procedure.”

 

Rahul saluted again, but kept whatever reply he was about to utter to himself.

 

Walking over Overseer Von Herz had a closer look at Da.

 

“Them leader Ravia, and the Veteran have a point, how do you answer their charges?”

 

“Sir, I’d stake my reputation that one of them carried out the theft. I have served with Josiepth for over a dozen years, his word I trust absolute. Furthermore I spoke to everybody who witnessed the bout aside from this team, which is why I am now here, one of them is a thieving scum and I will see him get what is due to him. It’s not a baseless accusation when it’s true.”

 

“As for the Veteran, my apologies, no slander was intended, everybody in camp had been calling him a ‘gryn all evening and not having laid eye on him before now I was not to know different.”

 

“Da here took a swing at us when we came to question him, my lads just acted on their training, Medic said he’d be fine and we should escort him back to his team, since it was essentially on the way we took him with us to confront this lot as evidence. But these are distractions from the point. One of them is deserving of the lash.”

 

“It’s true Sir, I did took said swing at the Sergeant, Squid and I are no pickpocket an’ as not going to let the slander stand. Did not know he was a Sarge, and he called his lads of quick enough after they rushed to defend him.” Da added, a tad weekly.

 

Overseer Von Herz let his torch pass from person to person, looking each in the face, until he settled on one of Rahul’s men.

 

“Josiepth, from the beginning, in your own words.”

 

“After we set up the tents Imre said we should look at our Thrones as his were all newly minted. So I did and so where mine, even the serial numbers where in sequence, I can give you a list.”

 

“Put it in the written report Trooper. Continue.”

 

“Then we headed for the mess tents and on the way past saw the BONE’ead, sorry, veteran fighting the stumpy fellow. We’d stopped to watch and Imre bet me a Throne over the outcome. Once it was over and you yourself arrived Sir. We continued on to the Mess tent and I tried to put the Throne I won of Imre away and that’s when I noticed the pouch was gone. In retraced my steps all the way to the tents and did a thorough search but no luck. That when I report it to Sergeant. ”

 

From the depth of the camp two figures approached, revealed to be Ekber and the trooper sent to fetch him.

 

“Is this yours?” Edwin enquired, motioning for Rahul to hand him the pouch. Ekber took it, opened it and looked at the content for a mere moment.

“Yes Sir, thank you Sir.”

 

Edwin dismissed Ekber and considered the tension between your team and Rahul’s men.

 

“Team Leader Ravia, your are to conduct a search of your teams camp and provide a written report by Zero Eight Hundred Hours, Sergeant Rahul, written report by the same time detailing your investigation.”

 

He dismissed the men that had come with him, ordered Rahul’s men to continue their patrol duty until shift change and Ordered Rahul to come with him as he headed away the way he had come.

 

After a moments glance back at your team Sergeant Rahul followed.  The two supporting Da headed for team four’s encampment, where a few spectators had gathered to see what was going on with their neighbour, they took Da back and helped him into the back of the chimera.

[Lord_Ikka]

Ravia

 

Ravia surveyed her team. "If one of you did take the money, tell me now and we will be done with it. Otherwise, I will perform a search and write the report the overseer wants."

 

Spoiler

If no one responds, Ravia will search the camp. Perception test I guess?

Perception test

Target- 33

Roll- 98

Result= Fail, with 6 DoF! 

Clearly not accustomed to contraband searches, Ravia does her best but fails to locate any Thrones. Ravia spends the next hour compiling a report, after conducting brief interviews with the team.

 

Spoiler

Trade (Copyist) Test

Target- 38

Roll- 29

Result= Pass, no DoS

 

Ravia transmits the report to Overseer Von Herz promptly, then takes up her lascarbine for the third watch.

[TechCaptain]

Kazimir

 

Kazimir grunts his accent when everything seemed to be through. Sergeant and those PDF boys were lucky all they loss was a measly 45 thrones, and the Overseer has obvious bias. Both of these facts was driving the Veteran's mind that they should break off from the farce of a military unit as soon as they have a chance. He looked after Ravia as she conducted her search but held his counsel of thinking Varn probably would be helpful in the search. At this point there was no need to help the lowlifes that invaded their camp without proper authority and are not getting punished properly for their dereliction of duty, assault, and other things. He made sure to save the encounter and the other interaction with Da in his memory banks so the Commissar could use it later at need. He knew there was likely only one for all the forces that were not Guardsmen but that was serious lack of discipline that would make for death on the battlefield. He planned on finishing out the rest of his shift before he would turn in, in the cab like Ravia had to recharge. 

[Machine God]

Varn:

 

Now that everyone was up and the search done, Varn made his tribe a cup of Kaff. 

 

He then re-filled the urn with water. 

 

[A.T.]

Aria

 

It was approaching her watch and despite everything said there might still be trouble. Once Helene had returned to her tent Aria took up guard outside, the night was not yet over.

[Trokair]

Day 2 –  8.03 local time

 

The camp had woken at dawn, grudgingly and slowly as any large encampment was prone to do. A hasty meal in the mess tent, cold leftovers from the night before, or rations chewed while working the camp disassembled. Tents repacked, equipment rechecked and general readiness pretend if not actually achieved.

 

Ravia and Sergeant Rahul both stand outside Overseer Von Herz’s command Chimera as the first part of the convoy slowly rolled out of camp and onto the road. The aid opend the rear hatch and beckoned you both closer as from within Eadwin addressed you both while still looking at the data slate in front of him.

 

“I have read both your reports, and the eye witness accounts certainly speak of misconduct by at least one, potentially more individuals. Furthermore, for a off the book investigation Sergeant Rahul was thorough and the culprit is therefore likely one of yours Team Leader Phi-Ro. I see from your report that you found no evidence, but mark my word these lowlife auxiliaries can be devious, be vigilant and report any further evidence that may arise.”

 

Glancing first at a chronometer Eadwin now turned to look at both of you directly.

 

“I am not going to delay the expedition over such misdemeanour, but there has been a break in discipline and I will have to file your reports and my own with HQ for later review. Dismissed.” He half bellowed the last word and his aid ushered you far enough back to close the hatch again.

 

Rahul scowls at you before wordlessly departing.

 

You need to hurry as all the while the convoy has been slowly filing past, leaving the camp site and heading for the road. Only team two’s vehicles had not yet ready, they would leave last and head northwards separate from the eastbound convoy.  

Catching up with David you climb aboard where the others where all already at their stations. Just a few minutes later you clear the camp and are on the open road again.

 

The countryside is much as before, but the further east you get the less cultivated the land becomes; the forest is now snapping at the edge of the highway in places. Some hours later you see structures o nthe horizon, and a glance at the map tells you that a settlement is coming up, but as you draw closer you see that it is all ruins, overgrown and steadily collapsing. The only thing still intact is the Highway as it passes the city remains to the north and the bridge across the river that the city had clearly been built around. Even the road north that team three took was in a lesser form than the highway, though it clearly was important enough to be maintained as you spot repair work in the tarmac.

 

With the convoy now down to just the smallest teams, and freed from the slower vehicles you all speed up and for almost two hours make very good progress. Now heading inland and still eastwards the landscape once more changed, the forest continued to the south of you, bot on the north side grass covered hills took over, in theory excellent grazing lands, but what could be farms are few. Several miles out from the remains of a city the Highway also becomes a lesser version of itself. Occasionally you spot a civilian cargo hauler but otherwise the highway is empty.

 

By early afternoon steadily increasing rainfall force you all to slow down, visibility severely down the convoy begins to fragment a bit. You only know of team four’s departure from the regular coms checks between convoy elements,  you neither see them turn of the Highway due to the heavy rain, or even spot where their turning had been.

 

Darkness falls early under the heavy cloud cover and for now you press on, team five and six somewhere ahead of you on the Higway.  

 

At the 20 hundred hour check in team five reports that they stopped for the night, they don’t think they can make it to Port Havamn in a reasonable time given the weather and have opted to rest for the nigh by the side of the road. Team six confirm that while they are still going they are looking for a suitable place to pull over and do likewise.

 

You now have a choice, find a place to stop and rest for the night, or try and push on for Port Havamn (dark red circled settlement on the map). Stopping means you will all have to sleep in the cramped condition of the Goliath, the weather is too bad to set up tents. As a single vehicle you can make better speed and may yet reach the port, but it will be very late into the night and driving conditions will become hazardous (as opposed to the just difficult they where up to this point).    

[Trokair]

Day 2 – Evening

 

Seeing the wisdom of riding out the weather in the same manner as the other two teams Kazimir slows down, driving as close to the edge of the road has he can to search for a suitable spot to pull over.

 

Kazimir/Tech Captain, one Ordinary (+10) Drive Test please.

Ravia/ Lord_Ikka you may provide a +10 Assistance to the Drive test be passing a challenging (+0) Tech Use test as you use the Goliath systems and map data to dry and find a suitable place.

Varn/Machine God you may provided a +10 Assistance to the Drive Test by making a Difficult (-10) Awareness Test. You may instead make the test at Ordinary (+10), but doing so means you have opened the hatched to get a better view and are exposed to the elements.

[Machine God]

Varn:

 

Even the rain had forced Varn inside, he kept a watch out the windows for any signs of the road.

 

"Kaz, look to those gaps dat where road is! Dose big bushes at side love marshy, wet soil. Look for, heh slow down! Dere dose low trees got good roots, dey bind up the soil and keepit strong!" Varn pointed to the right of the road.

 

 

 

PER 33 + Awareness -10 (Difficult) = 23. Result: 05, Pass 1DoS

 

 

Edited December 1, 2022 by Machine God
typo

[Lord_Ikka]

Ravia

 

Ravia attempts to use the auspex scanner on the Goliath. Despite her ministrations, the storm's wrath confuses the system's machine-spirit and she only receives static.

Spoiler

Tech-Use Test

Target- 38

Roll- 99! (glad it was on this, compared to something else...)

Result- Fail, with 6 DoF

 

"Praise the Omnissiah, go slow Kazimir. The storm is disrupting our conveyance's systems to an unacceptable degree. We will have to rely on your driving and Varn's spotting skills to find shelter."

[TechCaptain]

Kazimir

 

Kazimir struggles with the Goliath through the downpour making visibility poor. With the equipment for guidance on the fritz he relied on the little hints through the lightning and Varn's local knowledge to lead the vehicle along the safest parts of the road. He drove at a snail's pace even for a vehicle such as theirs to make sure it wouldn't get fouled up in the mud and ick of the weather. This storm made him start mumbling mixed prayers to the Emperor to guide them and the Omnissiah to keep the vehicle good condition. He hated weather in general but especially bad weather. Never see this kind of thing in the Hives on Cogger, and just severe Lightning and Electromagnetic storms that would fry everything instantly outside the Hives. Few survived such weather in his mind, continuing in this more than he had to was out of the question. He made his way to hopefully the nearest safe stop point with some shelter from the storm. 

 

Spoiler

Drive Test

Target- 23 + 10 = 33

Roll- 32 

Result- Pass

 

[Trokair]

With caution and the Scouts guidance Kazimir brought David to a crawl at a promising gap in the roadside foliage. Perhaps it had once been a turning, for the cleared space was barely more than two vehicles width and appeared to recede into the sheets of rain. It however provided a modicum of shelter and they were of the road, drastically reducing the hazard of collisions from any other road users during the night, if any dared brave the storm.

 

While you are safe and dry inside the cabin and the covered rear compartment conditions are cramped, David has taken the beating of the weather less well. As Ravia operated the scanner it sputtered to snow static before winking out and the machine spirit would not be roused again that night despite Ravia’s ministrations and chants, perhaps some external malady was to blame, but you could not go and investigate until conditions improved.  

 

I will post start of day 3 tomorrow, feel free to narrate the evening as you want, grumbling at the weather, campfire stories around the cooker, prayers for clear skies etc. You can prepare rations and sleep (with the aids of your sleeping bags) at your stations within David but it is not a restful night. You will count as having eaten and slepted for the day, but for the next day you will have a -5 on all Perception, Intelligence and Fellowship tests.

 

[A.T.]

Aria

 

The conditions within the vehicle were almost luxurious compared to the crawlspaces of Arias home, but the close proximity of others was disquieting and they likely found her presence even less appealing.

 

The transport had an escape hatch in the floor and ample ground clearance, if not for the sweeping groundwater it would perhaps provide better shelter and lines of sight for a watch.

 

Until the rain had stopped however silence was their best defense, the only warning of approach in the darkness.

[Machine God]

Varn:

 

Rat was alright, together with Snake? 

 

< Fart >

 

That's why he slept outside, as a rule. 

 

[Trokair]

Day 3 Dark Skies over Port Havamn

 

Dawn came late, breaking through the cloud cover for only minutes at a time. However daylight did also come with a relive from the rain. Stepping into the fresh morning air you can see that your improvised camp site was well chosen. To the west, the way you had come, branch and leaf debris lie scattered and in the distance you can see where at least one three had fallen to the winds, half blocking a lane.

 

Eastwards the scattered sunlight that had fought its way through the grey sky glimmered and sheened of the still wet landscape. Those of you with the keenest eyes can even make out the glitter of the ocean on the horizon, barely visible between gentle valleys troughs.

 

After the cramped night in the Goliath being able to stretch and spread out is a welcome comfort, but you do not waste time. Kazimir tended to the Goliath drive mechanism while Ravia turned her attention to David spirit. The general machine is robust and no worse for wear, but the augury, coms net and satellite uplink remain dormant and unresponsive no matter what the Tech-dept tries. For now you do not poses the tools or means to delve deeper, this will have to wait.

 

Varn had scurried into the nearby undergrowth at first light, no doubt on the hunt for a morning meal, if the others dare to partake in the spoils.

 

Of Aria the others paid scant attention, but the extra space and distance, even if only a few meters more than the confined space of the Goliaths cabin was in a way soothing.

 

With the weather holding you all soon set out again, with the sun winngin the sky the road dries sufficiently for the Goliath to operate at optimum and you eat the miles. So far you have seen no other traffic, either ahead or behind, though you know that teams Five and Six should not have been that far from you.

 

As your chronometer tick towards noon the sky darkens, a further storm is rolling in from the east, the sky as dim as dusk and rapidly turning to night, mocking your sense of time.

 

But unlike the previous evening your destination is not only insight, but within reach before the rains engulf you if you strain the engines in a last half hour dash across the lowlands surrounding Port Havamn.

 

At the city gates a squad of guards await you, a little too efficient to purely ceremonial, but too ornamental for the usual austere PDF garb. They inspect your Expedition issued authorizations and ID as well as a fair amount of the Goliaths cargo, opening storage containers and stow boxes alike. By the time they admit you into the city the storm had not only reached you but had howled its eagerness to drown the land for many minutes, only the cover of the gatehouse and inspection facility has kept you dry.

 

One of the guards hands you a map of the city, and upon request will give you some further details.

 

Map of Port Havamn

 

Spoiler

 

You are currently at the gate on the west side of the city.

 

Until fixed David electronic sensors, coms and satellite uplink are out of commission. This also means that you cannot rely on it to act as a relay for your squad coms, reducing their range to the default 1km.

Edited December 7, 2022 by Trokair

[A.T.]

Aria

 

Civilization, of sorts. No doubt all official accounts of ruins and artefacts had already been collected by the organisers of the expedition but fables and superstitions might lead to lesser known paths, and relics of the old times could easily have been overlooked as scrap and trinkets amongst the markets and traders. Their early arrival and the weather conditions would give them the first opportunity of discovery ahead of the more cautious.

 

Aria moved to walk in lockstep with her ward, to be first here was also to be unsupported and perhaps unwelcome by those inhabitants fearful of what the expedition would bring to their homes.

[Machine God]

Varn:

 

Varn got up and retrieved his nest egg from the urn, he then made a fresh brew for the team.

 

After re-filling the urn he went out into Port Havamn to see what he could buy.

[Lord_Ikka]

Ravia

 

Ravia will go and look for a Mechanicus outpost, or failing that, a junk shop to find possible replacement/repair parts and tools for the Goliath's systems.

[Trokair]

As you readied yourself for entry into the city now that you had passed the admission inspection the guard that handed you the map answered your initial queries.

 

“Well there is St Sebastian to the north across bridge, or if you prefer not to listen to lengthy sermons there is the Fair-weather Temple near the docks. As you are with the big expedition they might even let you into the chapel in the Citadel, though I’d only go there if you need the service of a Confessor.”

 

Purple on map

 

“Smif and Smyth near the Old Docks have the biggest machine shop, though if you need parts for the Goliath here then maybe try Hobson's Livery near Norrgate.”

 

Red on map

 

“For goods and asorted traders there is the old market square outside the citadel, with a souk once a week, next one is in two days time. There is also the Fisher's Market on the way to the Docks. ”

 

Light and Dark Green, these areas contain all sorts of shops, traders ,stalls and so on.

 

With seemingly all questions answered the Guard ushered you out in to the city street, where the rain was still making itself felt as it splattered all around, though the buildings did provide sufficient wind breaks that it was no longer howling.

 

I have also marked potential boarding places in Blue that could also have space to park David. There are others but they have no space to park the Goliath. Other colours are potential places of interest, but your character do not know of them yet. Just figured it might be easier to refer back to one map them constantly update it as and when the party might find or seek something.

 

Updated Map:

 

Spoiler

 

Edited December 9, 2022 by Trokair

[Lord_Ikka]

Ravia

 

"Splitting up to accomplish our goals would be the most logical action. Kazimir, we should find a boarding location with space for our vehicle first thing. Then we can divide and accomplish our tasks easier. Everyone check in on the hour via comms, meet up at the lodgings at dusk. Praise the Emperor and Omnissiah, with all due luck we will be able to truly start our exploration tomorrow."

[TechCaptain]

Kazimir

 

"Yes, Ma'am. I will stay with the vehicle and make sure our quarters are secure. " Kazimir while more comfortable around the buildings of the city, still didn't like surrounding himself with civilians. He was thinking the place by the Northgate might make decent waystation while the crew went on their business. 

[Petragor]

Helene

 

"I shall go to this St. Sebastian and pray for safe travel for us, and the other pilgrims. Emperor knows we'll need it after yesterdays weather."

[Trokair]

Ravia, Kazimir and David

 

The boarding house closest to you has negligible travelling time, the other three are further away and will require a Drive Test as you navigate the rain drenched city. It is a Ordinary (+10) for the other one on the west shore, and a Difficult (-10) for either one across the bridge). The roll will determine travel time.

 

Once you have reached a boarding house you will need an opposed fellowship test to see if that boarding house have space for your group (don’t forget the -5 from the bad nights sleep). Travel time taken can influence availability and price.

 

Select you first boarding house to check out.

 

 

 

Helene (and presumably Aria)

 

As you travel through the smaller streets and lanes towards the lesser bridge you are sheltered from the weather as best as possible by the city, that is to say insufficiently, but better than nothing. What pedestrians you encounter are glad in water proofs of various designs and inevitably in a hurry to complete their own journeys and get out of the rain.

 

As you reach the bridge it become apparent that you will have to bear the full force of the weather to cross it, and even with your own weather resistant clothing you are likely to get soaked out in the opened, and buffeted by the wind.

 

Nearby is a Rikshaw taxi stand, for 6 Thrones per passenger it will safely and sheltered from the elements take you all the way to St Sebastian.

 

If you walk the bridge please take a Toughness test.

[Petragor]

Helene

The wind flows through the streets of the port city, and the rain likewise continues to harass both the residents, and the new arrivals alike. By their forced combined it is like a hail of bullets, though rather than spilling blood they soaked any passers-by to the bone, making them cold and miserable. A significant obstacle to some, but not for the faithful. 

"Come Aria, endure this test of our vigour! Soon we shall be rewarded with sanctuary, of the body and the soul!"

Having said that, Helene was still damned cold...

 

Spoiler

Toughness Test

Target- 32 + no modifiers = 32

Roll- 42 

Result- Fail, 1 DoF

 

[A.T.]

Aria

 

"Blessed be", Aria replied by rote. The weather here was unlike that of the world from which they had travelled and there was wisdom to acclimatising to its conditions, though the expedition would be well served by heavy furs.

 

Though her cloak shielded her from the worst of the rain Aria took care not to draw her hood too low in the cold, ever alert for danger.

 

Toughness 35 vs 41 - pass, no extra DoS